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I've ordered a 29er front wheel for my hardtail to give the mullet thing a try. 35mm rims front and rear. Currently 27.5 X 2.6 DHF front and 27.5 X 2.6 Dissector rear. There's nothing "wrong" with the current set up. On the contrary I really like it. But I fancy trying out an alternative. I think the thing I like is the 2.6 width on the wide rims and what that does, rather than necessarily the tread patterns.
I'm kind of thinking to put a 2.6 tyre on the 29 front as well, rather than going thinner than the back. Exo strength carcass would do on this bike and I like stuff like DHR/DHF - grippy all year tyres I suppose. Don't mind it a bit draggy on the front but I think a seriously heavy tyre would be counterproductive. Don't care what brand. There are a few tyres listed in the size but I'm struggling find UK stock. Anyone got any recommendations?
The specialized store have a few options showing as in stock. I run one of the eliminators on the front of my hardtail and have been getting on pretty well with it for local sandy/loose over hard trails. Was thinking about moving the eliminator to the back and sticking a butcher on the front over the winter but I seem to have just about survived with the slaughter on the rear so far and may just leave them as they are now.
Interesting. Thanks. @bigginge I'm not clear on the specialized compounds and carcasses - are those two Butchers different carcasses? "Grid" Vs "Grid Trail"? One also quoted the T7 compound while the other just says "Gripton". Sorry - another tyre manufacturer means a while new set of jargon... Trail carcass sounds right but since the quoted weights are about the same I guess they're the same on that front, in which case I'd pick the softer of the two for a front tyre I guess.
I’m afraid I’ve not quite worked out what’s going on with the new specialised tyre line up yet. NSMB have a review of the new butcher up which covers some of the new tech (link below) so may be worth a look. Though their tyres seem to be slightly different to the ones in the links above.
https://nsmb.com/articles/specialized-butcher-t9-tires/
Edit: forgot to add all the ones I have are the older gripton rubber with grid casings.
There’s a couple of eBay sellers with 29x2.6 Minion DHF/R in stock
Are your forks 29" or 27.5"? Have you checked you'll have enough tyre clearance?
A few options then although a pretty restricted range. Magic Mary is another, and maybe what I'd most like to try, but can't find stock. WTB Vigilante another one? I can't immediately see UK stock for that in suitable specs either.
It looks to me like the Grid Trail T9 is the spec of choice for a Butcher on the front. It exists in 29x2.6 and is a good deal in Germany but I can't see it in the UK. And reviews suggest big differences between the old grid trail and the new ones with the T- compounds. So there's the mid hardness T7 Butcher or a dual compound DHF available but ideally I'd like T9 or Maxx Grip on the front I think.
My fork is a 29 Pike. Boost, current spec. Whether a proper "plus" tyre would fit on 29 I don't know but I'm assuming a 2.6 should.
Frustrating that without Brexit there'd have still been a reasonable selection of good tyres available despite covid.
If you have a Dissector on the back, try one on the front too. I recently replaced a 2.5 DHF with a 2.4 Dissector and very happy with it. Lighter, rolls slightly better, great cornering grip, and probably better braking too.
Where do you (mostly) ride?
Vittoria mazza 2.6? A few places have UK stock.
It's similar to a DHF, just newer.
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Ooh that Mazza could be the answer. Clearly suitable, there's stock and they don't offer a bewildering range of different compound choices so my simple brain stands a chance at the shopping bit. 👍
I don't fancy a Dissector up front. In fact I wouldn't go out of my way for another on the back. What I like about that tyre is, I think, about width, volume and how that works with a wide rim. I'm fairly insensitive to different tread patterns on the back, within reason, but not so much on the front where I care more about grip and very little about drag, and would leave something like DHR/DHF/Mazza/Mary on all year.
Thus far 90% of this bike's riding has been local forestry unofficial trails, Devon. Roots, soft at times but not claggy, flinty enough you want a bit of puncture resistance, some fairly steep stuff. It'll go further afield though at some point, when such extravagances come back. Occasional visitor to the Tweed Valley (family there).
Yep there 2 versions of Vittoria trail/enduro tyres, the TNT which is trail (exo+ level protection with pinch flat inserts) and the TLR which is the enduro 2-ply casing.
All have 4 compound rubber. I've got a 2.6 mazza on my FS and love it, used mainly on natural terrain, rocks, roots, soft trails etc.
They're fairly fast rolling too even with the level of grip.
Thanks @ta11pau1 I've gone for the Mazza trail.
Bit pricey but sounds just the job. And anyway pretty much the only option that was in stock with a compound you'd go for on the front, the right size, carcass etc. Will be interesting to see how I get on...
"My fork is a 29 Pike. Boost, current spec. Whether a proper “plus” tyre would fit on 29 I don’t know but I’m assuming a 2.6 should."
Bags of room for a DHF29x2.6, enough room for a Mudhugger shorty too. Pike Boost and also F34 boost.
Even a MASSIVE DHF29x3 will fit, but annoyingly it will buzz under compression, damn!
but a Surly Dirt Wizard 29x3 will fit either fork! (about 2.9 actual on i40 rim, importantly it is not as tall as the DHF)
Mazza and 29er wheel fitted and ridden. Just the once but I have to say so far it seems bloody good. Whether that's diameter or tyre I've no idea. Conditions are lovely too, so it might be that.
2.6 Mazza 2-3mm narrower than a 2.6 DHF on the same rim.
Some of this may be newness but I think it's more aggressive than a DHF. Taller knobs maybe, or squarer, or something, and lots of cuts in them. Doesn't feel draggier to me but I guess if actual science was applied that might go the other way.